AdmiDistrative Order No ..

34

March 20t 1990

SUBJECT: Revised Water Usage aDd Classificationl Water Quality Criteria A.eading Section Nos. 68 and 69, Chapter III of the 1978 NPCC Rules and Regulations

SectioD 68. Water Usage IDd Classification. - The quality of Pbilippine waters shall be maintained in a safe and satisfactory condition according to their best usages. For this purpose all waters shall be classified according to the following benefICial usages:

(a) Fresh Swface Waters (rivers, lakes, reservoirs. etc.)

Classification Beneficial Use 11

Class AA Public Water Supply Class I. This class is intended primarily for waters baving watersheds which are uninhabited and oOawise protected and which require only approved disinfection in order to meet the National Standards for Drinking Water (NSDW) of the Philippines.

Class A Public Water Supply Class D. For sources of water supply that will require complete treatment (coagulation. sedimentation, filtration and disinfection) in order to meet the NSDW.

Class B Recreational Water Class I. For primary contact recreation such as bathing, swimming, skin diving. etc. (particularly those designated· f<r tourism purposes).

In senera!. this refers to current best benefICial use that is expected to last. at least. for tho next 10 to 20 years. In special cases when dictated by political. economic. social. public heal~ environmental and other considerations. certain waters may be classified IICCOIding to the intended or future beneficial use (e.g.Pasig River.Tullehsn-Tenejeros, etc.)

236

Class C

ClassD

1) 2) 3)

1) 2) 3)

FIShery Water for the propagation and growth of fish and other aquatic resouroes;

Recrealional WafJ::t Class n (Boating,etc.)

Industrial Water Supply Class I (For manufacturing

processes after tteatment).

For agriculture. irrigation, livestock watering. etc. Industrial WatJ:t Supply Class n (e.g. cooling, etc.);

Other inland waters. by their quality t helM! to this cIusification.

(b) C08SaI and Marine Waters

Classification

Class SA

Class SB

Class SC

Class SD

1) 2)

3)

1) 2)

1) 2) 3)

1) 2)

Benefieial Use

Waters suitable for the propagati~, survival and harvesting of shellfISh for commercial. purposes;

Tourist zones and national marine parks and reserves established under Presidential ProcJamatioo No. 180 1; existing laws and/or declared as such by appropriate government agency.

Coral reef parks and reserves designated. by Jaw and concerned auduities.

Recreational Wafer Class I (Areas regularly used by the public for bathing. swimming, skin diving. etc.);

FIShery Warer ClassI (Spawning areas for Chanos cbanOs or "Bangusn and similar species).

Recreational Water Class n (e.g. boating, etc.);

Fishery Water Class n (Commercial and sustenance fishing); Marshy and/or mangrove areas declared as fish and wildlife sanctuaries;

Industrial Water Supply Class n (e.g. cooling, etc.);

Other coastal and marine w~ by their quality. belong to this classification.

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(c) General Provisions on Water Classification

1. Classification of a water body according to a particular designated use or uses does not preclude use of the water for other purposes that are lower in classification provided that such use does not prejudice the quality required for such waters.

2. Water classifications are arranged in the order of the degree of protection required, with Class AA and SA having generally the most stringent water quality, respectively, for fresh surface waters and marine/coastal waters; and Class D and SD waters have the least stringent water quality for fresh surface waters and marine waters, respectively.

3. The main objective of the water quality criteria is to maintain the minimum conditions necessary to assure the suitability of water for its designated use or classification.

4. Any person regulated under these rules or having a substantial interest in this chapter may seek reclassification of waters by filing a petition with the DENR gi ving all necessary information to support the petition.

5. All reclassifications of water shall be adopted, only after public notice and hearing and upon affumati ve fmdings by the DENR Regional Office concerned that:

i) The proposed reclassification will establish the present and future most beneficial use of the waters;

ii) Such a reclassification is clearly in the public interest, and

iii) The proposed designated use is attainable, upon consideration of environmental, technological, social, economic and institutional factors.

6. For purposes of classification or reclassification the following minimum water quality parameters are to beconsidered:

i) Dissolved Oxygen (00)

ii) pH

iii) Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

iv) Total Coliform Organisms

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Section 69. Water Quality Criteria.

(a) Minimum Criteria for Surface Waters. All surface waters of the country shall be free from:

1. Domestic, industrial, agricultural, or other man-induced non-thermal components of discharges which, alone or in combination with other substances or in combination with other components of discharges (whether thermal or non-thermal):

i) That settle to form putrescent deposits or otherwise create a nuisance; or

ii) That float as debris, scum, oil, or other matter in such amounts as to form nuisances; or

iii) That produce color, odor, taste, turbidity, or other conditions in such degree as to create a nuisance; or

iv) That are acutely toxic; or

v) That are present in concentrations which are carcinogenic. mutagenic, or teratogenic to human beings or to significant, locally occurring, wildlife or aquatic species; or

vi) That pose a serious danger to the public health, safety, or welfare.

2. Thermal components of discharges which alone, or in combination with other discharges or components of discharges (whether thermal or non-thermal);

i) That produce conditions so as to create nuisance; or

ii) That increase the temperature of the receiving body of water (RBW) so as to cause substantial damage or harm to the aquatic life or vegetation therein or interfere with the beneficial uses assigned to the RBW.

(b) Water Quality Criteria for Fresh Waters.

1. Conventional and Other . Pollutants Affecting Aesthetics and Oxygen Demand. - Please refer to Table 1 for the parameters and limits or specifications according to classification and use of the receiving body of water (RBW).

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TABLE 1 WATER QUALITY CRITERIA FOR CONVENTIONAL AND OTHER POLLUTANTS CONTRIBUTING TO AESTHft3lCS AND OXYGEN DEMAND FOR FRESH WATERS a

PARAMETER

UNIT CLASS CLASS CLASS CLASS C~t~S

AA ABC D

Color

PCU IS

TemperalUre{d) °c rise

(max. rise in deg. Celsius)

so

(e) 3

(e) 3

(e) 3

3

pH (range)

6.5-8.5 6.5-8.5 6.S-8.S 6.S-8.S 6.0-9.0

DissoIv~ Oxygen

(Minimum)

% satn 70

o

5-Day 20 C BOD

mg/L 5.0

mg/L I

Total

Suspended Solids

mg/L 25

Total

Dissolved Solids

70

70

60

40

S.O

5.0

5.0

3.0

5

5

7(10) 10(15)

so

(F)

(0) (H)

mg/L SOO(i) l.fX1:Ji) I,CXXJ(i)

mg/L nil 0.2(0.5) 0.3(0.5) 0.5

Smfactants (MBAS)

Oil/Grease (Petroleum

Ether ExtIact) mg/L nil

Nitrate as Nittogen mg/L 1.0

Phosphate as Phosporus mg/L nil

Phenolic Substances as Phenols

mgIL nil

Total Coliforms

I

I 2 5

NR IOU)

O.2(k) 0.4 (k)

10 O.l(k)

0.002

MPN/

lOOmL SO{m) 1,CXX)(m) l,cm(m) 5,(XX)(m)_

240

or Fecal Colifonns

MPNI

lOOmL 20(m)

mg/L 250

350 0.05(0)

Chloride as Cl

Copper

250

mg/L 1.0

1.0

(a)

Footnotes for Tables 1, 2, 3 and 4.

(b)

(c) (d)

(e) (f (8) (h)

(i) (j) (k)

(1) (m)

(n) (0)

nil

NR

Except as otherwise indicated. the numerical limits in Tables 1 and 3 are yearly average values. VaIues enclosed in parentheses are maximum values.

For irrigation purposes. SAR in effluent should be between 8 & 18 and Boron should nOI exceed 2.0 mg/l.

No abnormal discoloration from unnatural causes

The allowable temperature increase over the average ambient temperature for each month. This rise shall be based on the average of the maximum daily temperature readings recorded at the site but upstream of the mixing zone over a period of one (1) month.

Sampling taken between 9;00 AM and 4:00 PM Not more than 30% increase

Not more than 30 mg/L increase

Not more than 60 mg/L increase

Do not apply if natural background is higher in concentration. The latter will prevail and iwill be used as baseline.

Applicable only to lakes. reservoirs. and similarly impounded water.

When applied to lakes or. reservoirs, the Phosphate as P concentration should not exceed an average of 0.05 mg/L nor a maximum of 0.1 mg/L

Not present in concentrations to affect fish flavqJ'/taste

These values refer to the geometric mean of the most probable number of coliform organism during a 3~month period and that the limit indicated shall not be exceeded in 20 percent of the samples taken during the same period.

For spawning areas for Chanoschanos and other similar species Limit is in terms of dissolved copper

,

Extremely low concentration and not detectable by existing equipment

Means the standard of these substances ue not considered necessary for the present time, considering the stage of the country's development and DENR capabilities, equipment and resources.

Means No Recommendation made

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2. Toxic and Other Deleterious Substances. - The maximwn limits for these types of pollutants according to classification or use of the receiving body of water are found in Table 2.

TABLE 2 _ WATER QUALITY CRITERIA FOR TOXIC AND OTHER
DELETERIOUS SUBSTANCES, FOR FRESH WATERS
(For the Protection of Public Health)
PARAMETER UNIT CLASS CLASS CLASS CLASS CLASS
AA A B C D
Ar . (i) gIL 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.1
seruc C) m
Cadmium 1 • mg/L 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.05
Chromium (1) (hexavalent) mg/L 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.1
C~ mg/L 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05
~dl . mg/L 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.5
Total Mercury (1) mg/L 0.002 0.002 0.002 0.002 0.002
Organo-phosphate mg/L nil nil nil nil nil
Aldrin mg/L 0.001 0.001
DDT mg/L 0.05 0.05
Dieldrin mgIL 0.001 0.001
Heptachlor mg/L nil nil
Lindane mg/L 0.004 0.004
Toxaphane mg/L 0.005 0.005
Methoxychlor mg/L 0.10 0.10
Chlordane mg/L 0.003 0.003
Endrin mg/L nil nil
PCB mg/L 0.001 0.001 Note: 1.

Limiting values of organophosphates and organochlorines may in the meantime serve as guidelines in the interim period pending the procurement and availability of necessary laboratory equipment. For Barium, Cobalt, Fluoride, Iron, Lithium, Manganese, Nickel, Selenium, Silver and Vanadium, the 1978 NPCC Rules and Regulations, Section 69 may be considered.

2. For footnotes please refer to Table 1.

242

(c) Coastal and Marine Waters Criteria.

1. Conventional and Other Pollutants Affecting Aesthetics and Oxygen Demand. The criteria for Class SA. SB, SC and SD are found in Table 3.

TABLE 3 _ WATER QUALITY CRITERIA FOR CONVENTIONAL AND OTHER POLLUTANTS AFFECTING AESTHETICS AND EXERJI~G OXYGEN DEMAND FOR COASTAL AND MARINE WATERS a

PARAMETER

UNIT CLASS CLASS

SA SB

CLASS SD

Temperatwe(d) °c rise 3

(max. rise in deg. Celsius)

H (range) 6.5-8.5

Color

PCU

Dissolved Oxygen(e) (Minimum)

% satn mg/L

o

5-Day 20 C BOD

Total Suspended Solids Surfactants (MBAS)

mg/L mgIL mg/L

Oil/Grease mg/L

(petroleum Ether Extract)

Phenolic Substances as Phenols

CLASS SC

(c)

(c) 3

(c) 3

(c) 3

6;0-8.5

6.0-9.0

70 5.0

70 5.0

70 5.0

50 2.0

3 (t) 0.2

5 (g) 0.3

7(10) (g) 0.5

(h)

1

2

5

3

mg/L nil

(I)

Total Colifonns

0.01

MPNI

lOOmL 70(m)

1,()()()(m)

Fecal Coliforms

MPNI lOOmL

Copper

mg/L

1,OOO(m)

nil

200(m)

o.oin)(o) 0.0(0)

NOTE: For footnotes please refer to Table 1.

243

2. Toxic and Other Deleterious Substances. The maximum limits for toxic and other deleterious substances for waters classified as Class SA, SB, SC and SD waters are found in Table 4.

TABLE 4 WATER QUALITY CRITERIA FOR TOXIC AND OTHER DELETERIOUS SUBSTANCES FOR COASTAL AND MARINE WATERS (For the Protection of Public Health)

PARAMETER UNIT CLASS CLASS CLASS CLASS
SA S8 SC SD
Ar . (i) mg/L O.OS O.OS O.OS
semc (i)
Cadmium 1(") mg/L 0.01 0.01 0.01
Chromium 1
(hexavalent) mg/L 0.05 0.1 0.1
~,.~e mg/L 0.05 0.05 0.05
mg/L 0.05 O.OS 0.05
Total Mereury(i) mg/L 0.002 0.002 0.002
Organo-
phosphate mg/L nil nil nil
Aldrin mg/L 0.001
oor mg/L 0.05
Dieldrin mg/L 0.001
Heptachlor mg/L nil
Lindane mg/L 0.004
Toxaphane mg/L 0.005
Methoxychlor mg/L 0.10
Chlordane mg/L 0.003
Endrin mg/L nil
PCB mg/L 0.001 Note: 1.

Limiting values of organophosphates and organochlorines may in the meantime serve as guidelines in the interim period pending the procmernent and availability of necessary laboratory equipment For Barium, Cobalt, Fluoride, Iron, Lithium, Manganese, Nickel, Selenium, Sliver and Vanadium, the 1978 NPCC Rules and Regulations.Section 69 may be considered.

2.

For footnotes please refer to Table 1.

244

(d) Methods of Analysis. - For purposes of these regulations, any water sample taken for the purpose of classiflC8tion or for derennining compliance with the water quality criteria shall be analyzed in accordance with the methods enumerated in Table 5. The table also applies to determine compliance to efOuent regulations.

TABLE 5 APPROVED METHODS OF ANALYSIS

PARAMETER METHOD OF ANALYSIS

ARSENIC Silver Diethyldithiocarbamate Method (Colorimetric)

BODS Azide ModifICation (Dilution Technique)

BORON Carmine Method (Colorimetric Method)

CADMIUM Atomic Absorption ,Spectrophotometry (Wet ashing with concentration RN03 + HCI)

cm.oRINATFD HYDROCARBONS

Gas Chromatography (BCD)

CHROMIUM (Hexavalent)

Diphenyl Carbazide Colorimetric Method

COLOR

Visual Comparison Method (Platinum Cobalt Scale)

CYANIDE

Specific Ion Electrode Method

Db.X>LVFDOXYGEN

Azide Modification (Winkler Method), Membrane Electrode (00 meter)

FECALCOUFORMS Multiple-Tube Fermentation Technique or Membrane Filter

LEAD Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry

NITRATE AS NITROGEN Bruccine Method for Saline Waters. specific Ion Electrode Meter for Fresh Water

00.. AND GRFASE Gravimetric Method (Petroleum Ether Extraction)

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ORGANO PHOSPORUS COMPOUNDS

Gas Chromatography (FPD)

POLYCHLORINATED BYPHENYL(PCB)

Gas Chromatography (ECD)

pH

Glass Electrode Method

PHENOUC SUBSTANCES Chloroform Extraction Method

PHOSPHATE AS

PHOSPORUS Stannous Chloride Method

SE1TI1!ABI£ SOUDS Imhoff Cone Method

SURFACfANfS (MBAS) Methylene Blue Method (Colorimetric)

TEMPERA'IURE Use of Mercury-Filled Thermometer

WfALOOUFORMS Multiple-Tube Fermentation Technique or Membrane Filter

'IUfALMERCURY Cold Vapor Technique, (Mercury Analyzer, AAS)

1UfAL SUSPENDFD

SOLIDS Gravimetric Method

NOTE: Other methods found in the Philippine Standard Methods for Air and Water Analysis, the "Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Waste Waters", published jointly by American Public Health Association (APHA), the American Waterworks Association and the Water Pollution Control Federation of the U.S. or in accordance with such other method of analyses as the DENR may prescribe.

246

(e) Significant Parameters. - As a guide to dischargers and regulatory agencies the significant parameters to be considered for monitoring purposes are indicated in Table 6A. and 613.

TABLE 6A SIGNIFICANT PARAMETERS FOR SELECTED TYPES

OF INDUSTRIES

TYPE OF INDUSTRY

SIGNIFICANT WASTEWATER PARAMETERS

A. BEVERAGEINDU~Y BODS, pH. Suspended Solids. Settleable Solids, Oil and Grease

B. CEMENf. CONCRETE. ph, Suspended Solids. Dissolved 'Solids. Temperature UME& OYPSUM

C. DAIRY PRODUcr BODS, COD, pH, Suspended Solids.

PROCESSING Dissolved Solids. Settleable Solids

D. FERROALWY MFG. Suspended Solids, Chromium (hexavalent). Oil and

(electric furnace Grease, Phenols. Phosphates

with wet pollution control)

E. FERTIL1ZER INDUSTRY Nitrogen Fertilizer Industry

Phosphate

Fertilizer Industry

Chloride, Chromium, Dissolved Solids, Nitrate, Suspended Solids pH, Phosphorus, Suspended

Solids. Temperature. Cadmium. Arsenic

F.

GRAIN MIlllNG INDUSTRY

BODS. Suspended Solids. Temperature

G. INORGANIC CHEMICALS pH, Total Suspended Solids. Solids. Chlorides,

AlKAllES & CHLORINE Sulfates, COD, Temperature

INDUSTRY

H.

lEArnER TANNING & FINISHING INDUSTRY

BODS, COD, Chromium, Oil and Grease, pH.

Suspended Solids, Color. DissolvedSolids

I.

UVESTOCK INDUSTRY

BODS, COD, Total Suspended Solids. pH. Color, Total Coliforms

247

I.

K.

L.

M.

MFAT. FISH AND FRUIT CANNING

MEAT PRODUcrS INDUSTRY

METAL FINISIDNG INDUSTRY

MINERAL ORE PROCESSING

BODS. COD. Suspended Solids.

pH. Oil &, Grease. Dissolved Solids

BODS, pH. Suspended Solids, Settleable Solids, Oil and Grease. Total Colifonns.Toxic Materials

Oil and Grease. Heavy Metals (Cr. Cd, etc.), Suspended Solids. Cyanide

Suspended Solids, Heavy Metals (Hg. CN, Cd, ete.), Arsenic

(Mining Industry)

N. ORGANICCFlEMICAlS BODS, COD, pH, Total Suspended Soil, Oil

INDUSTRY (Free-Floating)

O. PEfROLEUM REFlNING BODS, Heavy Metals. COD. Oil, (fotal), pH. Phenols.

INDUSTRY

Suspended Solids. Temperature. Total Dissolved Solids

P. PLASTIC MA TERJALS & BODS, COD, pH, Total Suspended Solids, Oil & Grease.

SYN'1lffiTIC INDUSTRY Phenols

Q.

R.

S.

T.

u.

PULP & PAPER INDUSTRY

SfEEL INDUSIRY

SUGARCANE PROCESSING INDUSTRY

TEX11LE MllL INDUSTRY

1lIERMAL POWER GFNERATION

BODS, COD, pH, Total Susp. Solids, E. Coli. Color, Heavy Metals.Dissolved Solids, Oil &, Grease, Phenols

Oil and Grease, pH, Cyanide, Phenol, Susp. Solids, Temperature, Chromium

BODS. pH, Suspended Solids. Oil and Grease

BODS, COD, pH, Suspended Solids, Chromium. Phenols, Color, Oil and Grease

BOD5, Color, Chromium, Oil and Grease, pH, Phosphate Suspended Solids, Temperature

This Order shall take effect thirty (30) days after publication in the Official Gazette or any newspaper of general circulation.

FULGENCIO S. FACTORAN, JR.

Secretary

248